just got back from 10 nights (2 near Volcanos Nat. Park) and 8 near Mauna Kea. volcano side was at https://volcanovillageestates.com/bungalows-volcano-hawaii which was super close to park entrance. got in late Tuesday and then went to park on Wed morning. our bags were delayed so left park to receive those and got word that a big fountain (300+m) had started around noon. So we rushed back to the park and hiked around all day and took it in from different sides of the rim. Us and kids were pretty worn out and we left around 5:15pm or so. Probably should have just stayed to view it at night, but we were worn out. The line to get into park was near 2mi long when we left.
Huge arc at the beginning of the fountain and it slowly got a little shorter and wider as the day went on
you could feel the heat from the train at this point
Really cool and got lucky to hit the fountain on one of the 2 days we were on this side of the island. Then we drove over the dry side and rented a house in the Hapuna Mauna Kea resort (https://www.maunakearesort.com/stay/mauna-kea-residences/bluffs)
Place was fantastic. huge space and killer views with access to Mauna Kea and Hupuna Westin hotel and beaches. Manua Kea was going through a renovation so half the hotel was shut down and the beaches were never crowded.
Played a little golf with a family deal for 9 holes at waikoloa beach golf. pretty good deal for 2 adult and 2 kids clubrentals, carts and 9 holes for ~$250 all in.
Also did the manta ray experience at the Mauna Kea beach. thought it was pretty good. it was expensive and if you already knew what you were doing and had an underwater light, you could basically go to the same spot for free. But the guide just positions everyone and the light to attract the rays so all we had to do is float. the rays came and looped right at us for ~30 mins or so. tons of closeup loops inches from our masks.
all in all a fantastic trip highlighted by the volcano. it fountained again on the 20th and they said that could happen in a ~10ish day cycle.